LONDON—Mark Cutifani, chief executive of battered mining company Anglo American PLC, earned 8% less in 2015 compared with the previous year, though the drop was cushioned by the company’s move to make it easier for him to get a bonus.

Mr. Cutifani, who took over the helm of Anglo in 2013 with a promise to turn around the company’s fortunes in three years, earned £3.4 million ($4.9 million), down from £3.7 million in 2014.